Renault has also utilized a new electric motor found originally on the ZOE R75/90, rated at 60 hp (44 kW), and has replaced the original (and fairly weak) charging system. The new Kangoo ZE can charge at near twice the rate of the previous version – up to 7 kW.

As you can see, the 7 kW charging capability still isn’t near on par with the 22 kW charging found in ZOE.

Anyway, the new Kangoo Z.E. is still far better then the previous version, so perhaps we should not be too critical. Renault promises the “ZE 33” will be available on the European market from mid-2017.

Renault press release on the upgraded Kangoo ZE (fun game…count the times the word “new” is used):

Renault Kangoo Van Z.E

“New Kangoo Z.E. – New Kangoo Z.E. features major innovations: a new battery, new engine, new charger, new innovative connected services, and a heat pump in the air conditioning system.

New Kangoo Z.E. is equipped with a new “Z.E.33” battery (33kWh) and also gains a new engine, 100% Renault, developing 60 hp and based on the ZOE R75/90 engine. It is built in France at the Renault Cléon plant.

New Kangoo Z.E. now proposes a range of 270 km NEDC compared with 170 km for Kangoo Z.E. In real use, on a delivery cycle3***, the vehicle would have a range of around 200 km with a single load. New Kangoo Z.E. has a greater available range than any other electric LCV.

New Kangoo Z.E. cuts charging time thanks to a new-generation 7 kW AC charger. A full charge takes around six hours from a 7 kW WallBox. With this more powerful charger, New Kangoo Z.E. recovers a range of 35 km in just one hour of charging (in a temperate climate).

New Kangoo Z.E. features a real innovation in the world of electric LCVs: a heat pump linked to the air conditioning, maintaining range in cold weather.

New Kangoo Z.E. is built in France and will go on sale in Europe from mid-2017.”

Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 (33 kWh)

Bonus video (below): Check out the new Kangoo ZE getting built at Renault’s factory in Maubeuge (hat tip to Adrian!)

Renault promises also new connected services:

“Connected services for all Renault LCV customers

Like its consumer electric vehicles, LCV customers can also take advantage of new connected services like Z.E. Trip and Z.E. Pass on New Kangoo Z.E. These services enable an easy charging on one of Europe’s 80,000 public EV charging points. In 2017, Renault Pro+ will also be rolling out a number of other connected services dedicated to business users, starting with two prioritary service families, “Fleet Management” and “Predictive Maintenance”.

“Fleet Management” is a telematic service which gives access for fleet managers to:

valuable vehicle data for effective and efficient business management.

Cost, battery life, fleet sales. They are going for the local delivery and service market with very predictable drive cycles. They are not going for individuals who want a vehicle with cargo capability, but also for travel.

Honstly, who the f*** cares about 0-60/0-100 times on a inner city cargo van?
I think it’s still nicer to drive then the 75hp ICE (diesel or gas).
It needs to move, which it does, perhaps heat the cabin and be cheap/have a low TCO.
Everthing else is not really important in a business environment…

Unlike most commenters here, I happen to think this one may be a winner for the European market.

Businesses buying LCVs are looking for one thing: cost-effect. Some of them hopefully also think about environment – or are forced to think about that, due to regulations that make an electric LCV able to go to places an ICE one might be barred from.

But cost-effect is prime. Going from ~100km winter range to >150km winter range (and add 50-100 km just for charging during lunch breaks, etc.) is pretty substantial, and vastly increases the proportion of businesses whose needs this answers.

And, at current battery prices they can price this 33 kWh upgrade to be among the cheapest LCVs (after incentives) a business can get anyway, even before factoring in fuel and maintenance savings, which in Europe will be huge.

Wow, Renault is just leaving its Nissan cousin in the dust on the EV front these days.

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I expect the two major markets are delivery vehicle fleets, and independent small professionals (electricians, plumbers, gardeners etc.) In both cases, upfront cost and TCO are key.
Daily mileage cycles are fairly predictable and limited, so most potential buyers prob. don’t need longer range if it would have made the car much more expensive.

Also, recall this is a converted vehicle. Note the battery is mostly under the front seats — a larger one would like have forced a higher cargo floor which is a problem.

No, it doesn’t and more to the point, the LCC is soon (if not already) to start heavily restricting hybrids, too. Also, UK EV road tax is zero – normally UK£30+pa or so for an equivalent petrol/diesel van. Again, this is likely to go up severely in the near future, certainly for diesels, due to the particulate furore going on at the moment in Europe.

The new mayor appears as committed to making central London a no-go area for anything with an exhaust pipe as the former mayor (now the UK’s foreign Secretary, Boris ‘Bojo’ Johnson) was and about flippin’ time!

This is perfect for the type of workman who typically goes to one or two work-sites and works there the day, and just needs a van to drag around his tools/equipment back and forth from the worksite to home each day.

My neighbors are having their interior of their homes remodeled while they are in Hawaii. The contractor drives his big lifted Silverado with bedbox there every day and parks in it the driveway all day. He could easily do the same thing with this.

Bet, he wouldn’t want to! Even if you gave it to him to try out for an entire week. A large majority of Contractors need a “No Comprimise Truck”. Utility and Power are Number One. Towing and Load carrying are where they justify the overkill in all things Truck! Now, a Via Motors Truck, may get his head scratching started. An onboard A/C power supply is an intriguing option, to get the ICE Truck owner and jobs site contractors attention.

Nice update of the Kangoo! But what is still missing is a proper family car. The Kangoo Z.E. 5-seater with short wheel span and with all interior options as the explosion-motor version. Put in a 22 kw charger or CCS option and you have the perfect allrounder stationwagon. And it would be the only one on the market!

Spot on. I’ve sent a few messages to Renault to no avail. They still insist on delivering the Kangoo ZE as a pure utility vehicle. I’d buy the Maxi 5 instantly if it was to be delivered with a 22 kWh or faster charger.